By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Wellness

America recently lost a national treasure when Tim Russert suddenly died from a massive heart attack. He was just 58 years old.

Being a political junkie, Meet the Press was a Sunday morning staple in our household and I always learned something by watching the show. But Russert left one last lesson to us all – not about politics or American history or even his beloved Buffalo Bills, but about heart disease.

Silent, Yet Deadly

Tim Russert died from a coronary thrombosis – a blood clot that cut off the blood supply to his heart. But the underlying cause was the hardening and narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart – a condition known as atherosclerosis. Sadly, Russert’s case wasn’t unusual. About 300,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest due to damaged arteries every year – and many don’t even know there’s a problem until it’s too late.

The culprit in atherosclerosis is the formation of plaque – a fatty substance made up of cholesterol and other fats or lipids, calcium and a blood-clotting material called fibrin which causes the endothelium tissue to malfunction. In response, the endothelium releases a chemical that creates a sticky surface which attracts other cells. Over time, this build-up narrows the arteries and causes blood flow to slow. Ultimately, this narrowing will prevent the heart from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.

Russert’s fatal heart attack likely started when this plaque ruptured and formed a blood clot. A clot may stay put or, as in this case, it may travel down an artery until it hits another obstructed area. If this happens, the clot can block 95 to 100 percent of the blood flow in the artery and cause immediate death.

While family history and age can increase the odds you’ll develop atherosclerosis, weight, a poor diet and bad habits like smoking can send your risk through the roof. Although there’s not much you can do about some of these factors, your doctor will tell you that the best way to reduce your risk of heart disease to modify your diet, lose weight, exercise and quit smoking. And he’s right. But there are other things you can do to lower your odds of developing atherosclerosis and a fatal heart attack.

Heart Smart Supplements

When we think of heart-healthy garlic, most of us think cholesterol. And, while this tasty herb may help lower cholesterol levels, it’s not this herb’s most important role. Studies show that garlic prevents excessive platelet adhesion (stickiness). The secret is a compound in garlic called ajoene that helps prevent the platelets in the blood from forming blood clots.

Garlic supplements also reduce the size of existing plaque deposits by nearly 50 percent. In a four-year study of 152 cardiac patients, a daily dose of 900 mg. significantly slowed the development of atherosclerosis. Another study, which measured the flexibility of the aorta of 200 patients, reported that the subjects taking garlic had more flexibility, indicating less atherosclerosis.

Of course, garlic has other redeeming qualities as well. Aged garlic (but not raw garlic) prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and  protects against free radical damage – all of which help prevent atherosclerosis.

Ginkgo Biloba is another herb that increases blood circulation to the brain, arms and legs. More importantly, ginkgo reduces the risk of atherosclerosis by interfering with a chemical called platelet activating factor (PAF). PAF stimulates blood platelets to stick together and form clumps that cling to the inside walls of blood vessels.

Like garlic, ginkgo also prevents the blood from becoming coagulated and thick. In one study, researchers at the University of Texas conducted a study on healthy volunteers and patients who had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. By the end of the three month study, the Texas team found that 120 mg. of ginkgo, administered daily, acted as an effective blood thinner. But if you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, you can safely increase the dosage to 240 mg. Just make sure to tell your doctor that you’re taking ginkgo – and never take ginkgo or garlic if you are on prescription blood thinners like coumadin.

Reversing Clogged Arteries

Of course, everyone should do what they can to prevent atherosclerosis. But there is one simple thing you can do if your arteries are already in trouble – go fishing!

If you read last week’s bulletin (“Nice Try”), you know I’m a big believer in taking fish oil to help lower cholesterol. But the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in fish oil can also help reverse atherosclerosis. One study found that high fish consumption lowered the risk of atherosclerosis by preventing platelets from sticking together. These findings were confirmed by a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, which discovered that small amounts of fish oil inhibit platelet aggregation and lower triglycerides.

The largest published trial to explore omega-3 fatty acids ability to prevent a heart attack reported that 850 mg. of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil per day for 3.5 years resulted in a 20 percent reduction in total mortality and a 45 percent decrease in sudden death. Other studies suggest that fish oil reduces the amount of heart muscle damage from a heart attack and enhances the effect of blood-thinning medication. As a bonus, supplemental fish oil also reduces inflammation – another contributor to coronary artery disease.

Eating fish is a great way to load up on EPA and DHA. But unless you eat omega-3- rich fish at least three times a week, it’s wise to take 3,000 to 4,000 mg. of a daily fish oil supplement to ensure you’re getting all the heart healthy benefits it has to offer.

One Last Thing . . .

If you travel a lot – especially on crowded airplanes – you may be at an increased risk of one particular type of blood clot called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT develops in one of the larger veins in your body, usually in the lower legs. The clot can partially or completely block the circulation in the area around it. But DVT’s greatest risk is that part of the blood clot will break away and travel through the bloodstream. If the clot lodges in one of the arteries of the lungs, it can cut off blood flow and cause sudden death.

Most doctors suggest taking an aspirin before flying to prevent DVT. But researchers at the University of Arizona Medical School have discovered that taking a small dose of pyconogenol prior to getting on the plane is even more effective at preventing platelet aggregation and maintaining normal circulation. So before that next trip, make sure you take 100 to 200 mg. of this pine bark extract. And don’t forget to stretch your legs on occasion to keep that blood flowing.

This Just In . . .

Coronary artery disease can also lead to congestive heart failure – a condition where the heart muscles weaken causing the heart to provide inadequate blood circulation. But a new review of 14 randomized trials found that hawthorn extract can reduce the symptoms of CHF and boost the ability to exercise without shortness of breath and exhaustion. It can also significantly reduce heart palpitations when taken on a long-term basis.

Hawthorn eases the heart’s workload by dilating the coronary arteries. It also lowers blood pressure, increases the force of the heart’s contractions and slows the heart rate down when necessary.

Even though hawthorn is available in capsule form, it’s best to take this herb as a liquid extract. Most naturopaths recommend taking one to three teaspoons two to three times a day.  Just be aware that this herb can take a while to kick in – one or two months – so be patient.

Whether your heart is in tiptop shape or needs some repair, taking a pro-active approach can boost your chances of avoiding a sudden heart attack. It may just be the most important lesson Tim Russert ever taught us.

---

References:

Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Rohdewald P, et al. “Prevention of venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights with pycnogenol.” Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis. 2004;10:373-377.

Casós K, Sáiz MP, Ruiz-Sanz JI, et al. “Atherosclerosis prevention by a fish oil-rich diet in apoE(-/-) mice is associated with a reduction of endothelial adhesion molecules.” Atherosclerosis. Published online ahead of print on 2008 Mar 16.

de Lorgeril M, Salen P. “Mediterranean diet and n-3 fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.” Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine. 2007;8 Suppl 1:S38-S41.

Koscienlny J, Klüßendorf D, Latza R, et al. The anti-atherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum. Atherosclerosis 1999;144:237–49.

Peng SY, Zhang FY, Ou-Yang XY, et al. “Effect of ginkgolide B on the platelet-activating factor induced changes of chemotaxis and cytoskeleton of macrophages.” Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2006;41:156-160